Hunter farmers urged to keep Easter Show spirit alive

A Hunter resident and former President of the Royal Agricultural Society says the success of the upcoming Sydney Easter show is reliant on its traditional agricultural pursuits.

Based near Aberdeen, Arthur Bragg says the show continues to be the most important educational link between the city and the bush.

Mr Bragg headed up the society for nine years, before which he was a ring master.

He is encouraging local farmers to keep the spirit of the show alive by exhibiting.

"Because its part of their responsibility to educate the general public," he said.

"It's not always possible, there's costs involved and there's all sorts of things.

"We've found that there has been a lot of new exhibitors coming to the show which is wonderful because they're actually keen to make their name within the stud industry or whatever it might be and there is actually the opportunity to do that."

Mr Bragg believes the Royal Easter Show still has a strong presence but is concerned the traditional exhibits which underpin the event are waning.

He says one of the most important functions of the show is to educate city folk about the country.

"I think that you know we get 800,000 people there, over the period of the show and that's very important that they see agriculture in its true form which is the animals and all the things which are associated with agriculture.

"The Royal Easter show does that very well, it's the only exhibition of livestock that city people have a chance to see."